America and China showdown over Taiwan.

Hey all, I am not sure if you guys are aware of the issue over China and Taiwan but it seems that tensions have been rising between the two. If China were to invade Taiwan and the United States decided to intervene, which branches of the US military do you think would be sent in first? Taiwan is an island nation keep that in mind. A showdown between these nations is probably worse than North Korea.

My guess would be USAF. This begs the question though, why doesn’t the US have a joint base on Taiping Island with Taiwan? Isn’t the closest US presence in Okinawa?

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No US bases in Taiwan, closest base is Okinawa, mostly Marines and Airmen. I would say the navy would be the first to go in. The carriers are a huge deterrent.

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I thought I read somewhere that China is building carriers now.

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Yes - the latest published information I have seen indicates that their first aircraft carrier (the Liaoning; using a hull originally constructed for the Soviet Navy, refit by China, and commissioned in 2012) is currently in for a refit of its island and the second (fully developed in China), which is currently undergoing sea trials.

They do, two of them completed. The biggest difference between them and us is that their carriers are still have conventional propulsion, and they have yet to install a mechanized launch system although that could change with the next generation. For now they use the ski jump design which limits the type of aircraft that can launch from the carrier. They still lack the type of support that would allow for long, both time and distance, deployments. Of course they are just starting and advances will most likely keep coming.

Decades ago the US had a military presence on the island including a small naval hospital. In fact, the last CO of the hospital was CDR Cyrus M. Day III, MC, USN.

I worked with him at Camp Lejeune my first time with the Marines. His big dream in life was to lead a battalion of Marines into battle which was not possible of course for a physician but was one of his many wild stories.

I read that Sec. Mattis denied a request to send Marines to guard the pseudo embassy there.

Decades ago the US had a military presence on the island including a small naval hospital. In fact, the last CO of the hospital was CDR Cyrus M. Day III, MC, USN.

I worked with him at Camp Lejeune my first time with the Marines. His big dream in life was to lead a battalion of Marines into battle which was not possible of course for a physician but was one of his many wild stories.

I read that Sec. Mattis denied a request to send Marines to guard the pseudo embassy there.

Decades ago the US had a military presence on the island including a small naval hospital. In fact, the last CO of the hospital was CDR Cyrus M. Day III, MC, USN.

I worked with him at Camp Lejeune my first time with the Marines. His big dream in life was to lead a battalion of Marines into battle which was not possible of course for a physician but was one of his many wild stories.

I read that Sec. Mattis denied a request to send Marines to guard the pseudo embassy there.

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I think that ended in the late 70’s, right?

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Yes. I first met Dr. Day in 1979 and he was one of the last to leave the island.

A Taiwanese company, Foxconn is the largest private employer in the PRC as well as the largest Apple supplier/assembler on the planet. It is only one of dozens of large Taiwanese enterprises operating there. My son's host father in Taiwan flew to the PRC for weekend golf outings.

For all the high talk and bluster the two economies have developed an economic codependency that borders on that of US/Mexico or US/Canada. Only an idiot would upset that apple cart. But it has been known to happen.

No doubt the Navy/Marine Corps team would be if first with an assist from AF assets in Okinawa. Such a move would keep my son and the rest of III MEF somewhat busy. I don't thino China would do it intil they were convinced they could do it in a sudden quick blow. I don't think we're there yet.

A Taiwanese company, Foxconn is the largest private employer in the PRC as well as the largest Apple supplier/assembler on the planet. It is only one of dozens of large Taiwanese enterprises operating there. My son's host father in Taiwan flew to the PRC for weekend golf outings.

For all the high talk and bluster the two economies have developed an economic codependency that borders on that of US/Mexico or US/Canada. Only an idiot would upset that apple cart. But it has been known to happen.

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Negative, China’s Kai shek came over from China. Taiwan got screwed over when the kmt came over.